The summer is winding down, and back-to-school season is here! It might be too late to plan a summer road trip, but it's not too late to stop by the BJC and pick up a new skill! We've got a ton of exciting classes and workshops on offer this fall for every maker and every schedule. Ready to take the next step on skill-building in the studio? Take Metals + Jewelry 2 with Molly Shulman. Want to learn a new process with instant payoff? Sign up for Sand Casting with Elliot Keeley. Want to learn something cool, but can't make it in to the studio every week? Try an online class like Scrimshaw with Margo Csipő. Many of our fall classes are starting in just a week and a half, don't miss out!
We've made great progress toward our Summer Fundraiser goal of $65,000 and the finish line is in sight, but we need your help to cross it!
There are lots of ways to keep up the momentum and support the BJC this summer. In addition to giving directly to support programs at the BJC, you can help us out by getting special Jewelry-themed flash at Red Thorn Tattoo; a portion of the proceeds will go directly to supporting the BJC through September 10.
Tattoos aren't your thing? Join us at Ottobar on Friday, September 12 from 6-9 PM for Karat Karaoke, a special karaoke night benefitting the BJC.
As a community-driven nonprofit, the BJC is dependent on individual donations to help make everything we do possible. Support from community members like you is vital to all of our programs. Our Summer Fundraiser is one of the best times to help, because all donations are being matched by our board, up to $32,500 for $65,00 total. That means during our Summer Fundraiser, every dollar you donate goes twice as far to support programs like scholarships and low-cost classes, artist residencies, and youth programs!
After 12 years of leadership, Shane Prada, the BJC’s founding executive director, will be stepping down from her role this fall. Over the last 12 years, Shane has grown the BJC from a tiny organization with 4 programs to a midsize organization with programs reaching artists all over the world, from workforce development and youth programming to symposia and artist residencies.
Before we let her go, we are having a big, beautiful celebration of Shane and all of her accomplishments over the last 10 years! Please join us on Friday, September 19th from 6-8pm to congratulate Shane for all she's accomplished as our Executive Director. The Party will have delicious treats to celebrate, but please bring your own beverages.
Ben Cooke-akaiwa is a contemporary jeweler and metalsmith. He holds a BFA and an MFA from Indiana University Bloomington, in addition to having completed residencies at the Baltimore Jewelry Center and Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and teaching at schools across the US.
Ben’s work explores principles of Japanese design through material, form, and surface. Complex surfaces and patterns are contrasted with simple forms to create balance. Color, pattern, and texture are key elements in the conception of his jewelry. He integrates steel with precious metals, enamel, and gemstones to create wearable objects that are both inviting and contemplative.
Take a look at Ben's work and score a piece for yourself on our website.
In The Gallery:
2025 Graduate Exhibition
Stop by the gallery to see our Second Annual Graduate Exhibition! This year's graduates display a broad range of materials and practices, with works that represent multiple styles and use craft as a launchpad to investigate form and content.
Artists in this exhibition were selected by the BJC's 10-person exhibitions committee, and are recent graduates of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (Boston, MA), New Mexico State University (Las Cruces, NM), PennWest Edinboro (Edinboro, PA), the Pratt Institute (New York, NY), the Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY), the State University of New York at New Paltz, the Tyler School of Art and Architecture (Philadelphia, PA), the University of Dundee (Dundee, Scotland), the University of Georgia (Athens, GA), and Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA)
The 2025 Graduate exhibition will be on view through September 26.
Pictured (left to right): Artwork by Noah Kiehne, Katie Buchanan, Sydney Chong, and Sarah Bouchard
